Coke Studio Season 2

WHO IS MAFIKIZOLO?

South African music duo Mafikizolo has cemented their status as one of the most iconic and legendary music groups in Africa. Known for their classic fusion of the genres of Afro Pop, Kwaito, Kwela and Marabi, Mafikizolo has for decades captivated the continent with well-known hits such as Ndihamba Nawe and Khona. The Best Group of the Year winners at the MAMAs (2014) are also three-time winners at the South Africa Music Awards (SAMA) for Best Group of the Year. The duo makes their debut on Coke Studio Africa 2017, performing alongside Kenyan artist Nyashinski.

BREAK THROUGH

Formed in 1996, Mafikizolo’s sound was predominantly Kwaito, which got them a record deal with Kalawa Jazmee Records. They went on to release several albums including: “Mafikizolo” (1999), “Gate Crashers” (2000), “Sibongile” (2002) and “Kwela” (2003) before taking a musical hiatus. Mafikizolo made a comeback to the industry with a banging seventh album “Six Mabone” in which their intent was to take their loyal fans on the musical journey of their lives. The record included the remake of Miriam Makeba's classic Walila, and Flowers featuring Zonke. Their eighth album “Reunited” in 2013 brought the duo back in the spotlight with the mega hit Khona featuring Uhuru and hit collaborations with Davido on Chelete and May D with Happiness. They announced while at Coke Studio Africa that in 2017 they will be releasing a 20-track album to celebrate their 20-year anniversary in the music world.

BEGININGS

Mafikizolo was predominantly a Kwaito group but have over the years reinvented their sound to Afro Pop. Kgosinkwe of Mafikizolo says: “We do not make albums for December but we make music that will last for a life time.”

They continue to grow their fan base in the whole of Africa with high profile collaborations with artists like Diamond and Jaguar and their latest Swahili hit Kucheza.

FORMATION

Comprising of Theo Kgosinkwe and Nhlanhla Nciza, the group was a musical act started by Kalawa Jazmee in 1996. Initially a trio, the group lost one of the key members Tebogo Madingoane, Tebza in 2004. Shortly after they shot to fame, they were involved in a near fatal car accident that left some of the band members in hospital for a couple of weeks. The duo has risen over the challenges to become one of the most sought after groups in Africa.